Golf club calibration device



March 7, 1961 c. M. RHODEHAMEL 2,973,531

GOLF CLUB CALIBRATION DEVICE Filed April 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 I N VEN TOR. CHARLES M. RHODEHAMEL BY 0M Q $4M AGENT 7 March 7, 1961 c, RHQDEHAMEL 2,973,581

GOLF CLUB CALIBRATION DEVICE Filed April 25, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 in a M 1| 23 4! INVENTOR. 26- Z CHAPL 55 M. RHODEHAMISL 56. 3. I L 9; BY

27 as A GENT States GOLF CLUB CALIBRATION DEVICE Charles M. Rhodehamel, Alhambra, Calif. (51 E. Main St., White Sulphur- Spiings, W. Va.)

This invention relates to golf club calibration devices generally, and relates in particular to the class of devices for calibrating the loft or lie or both of a type of club known as an iron.

In the game of golf, the player ordinarily provides himself with clubs which may be classified generally in three categories: woods, irons, and putters. The selection of clubs in any of the categories depends on the players attitude toward the game, and if he becomes serious about playing the best game of which he is inherently capable, he usually provides himself with a set of irons which is comprised preferably of matched clubs. Selection of woods is usually done in the same manner.

Thus, in a set of matched irons he may have eleven clubs, designated generally by being numbered from one to nine, inclusive, with a pitching wedge and a sand wedge completing the set.

The manufacturers of matched irons have been concerned with a number of problems since no two golfers are alike in height, arm length, preferred method of addressing the ball, plane of the swing, and numerous other physical and psychological contributing factors. There has been little or no standardization between the various club manufacturers, each preferring to build clubs according to preconceived notions which may or may not have fact basis.

Generally, though, it is recognized that one of the clubs of a particular set of matched irons will fit a person whose hands assume a position at a particular distance from the ground when the assumed position is the most natural position to address the ball. Likewise, it is fur ther recognized thata set difierential of club length between adjacently numbered clubs may provide an important element in the matching irons in a set. That is, in a particular set the number one iron may be a half-inch longer than the number two iron, the number two a halfinch longer than the number three iron, and so on.

The differential may be greater or less than a halfinch, but that is a matter of fitting the clubs to the buyer when he makes his purchase. The serious golfer generally makes his purchase with the help of a professional (or pro) golfer who usually attempts to correlate the fit of the clubs with all the physical and psychological factors in the makeup of the purchaser.

From that point on the golfer is on his own, and prior to the present invention has never had available to him means to calibrate the loft and/or the lie of the club in order to give him a club fit which is personal to him alone.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a device whereby the loft and/or lie of agolf club can be calibrated exactly to the personal require ments of a particular golfer.

It is a further object to provide a device in which such calibration can be quickly and easily accomplished.

It is another object to provide a calibration device so constructedand arranged that a matched set of clubs can.

-wrench adapted to impart a set to the club at 2,973,581 Patented Mar. F, 1961 be calibrated exactly such that the transition of loft and lie from one numbered club to the next adjacently numbered club is tailored specifically to personal requirements of the golfer and in accordance with a set calibration standard.

It is a particular object to provide a device having a calibration reference means establishing a calibration reference line to which a standard reference line on the golf club may be referred with a surface of the golf club releasably secured to the device, said device further being provided with standard loft and lie calibrating means disposed substantially on a spherical radius line passing through a point on either the standard or calibration reference lines.

The loft of a club may be defined as the angle between the face of the club head and a plane formed by a line substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft (usually along the side of the shaft in the direction of driving) and a line along the forward edge of the sole of the club head. Generally speaking, the plane is nor.-

mal to the ground when the golf ball is addressed. The lie of a club may be defined as the angle between the two lines forming the aforesaid plane.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a type known as an iron;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the head of the golf club shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view of the club head taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2;

Figs. 3a, 3b, and 3c show the club head with respect to the ground in'three situations, the latter two of which are incorrect and remediable by the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a front elevation view of the invention mounted on bench of work height;

Fig. 5 is atop plan view of the device shown in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a partly sectioned side elevation viewof the calibrating member taken on the line 66 of Fig. 5; V

Fig. 7 is a front elevation view of the calibrating member shown on Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged front elevation fragmentary view of the frame member, showing the calibration reference pins and club head positioning and securing members, taken on the line 88 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 9 is a partially sectional fragmentary view of at its neck in order to bring it to desired calibration.

Referring to Fig. 1 there is illustrated an iron club 11 comprising a shaft 13 having a head 15 secured at the lower end thereof and provided with a hand grip 17 at the upper end. The view is taken head on in a direction normal to the plane of the desired line of flight of the golf ball. Fig. 2, illustrating the head 15 in enlarged detail, shows the head as comprising a hosel 19 merging with the neck 21, the hosel being arranged to have the shaft 13 secured therewithin.

In Figs. 2 and 3 the head 15 is further shown as com-. prising a face 23 adapted to engage the golf ball, the face being provided with corrugations 25 arranged to give a bite to the ball at impact. Generally, the corrugations 25 are parallel to the leading edge 27 of the sole 29 in order that a spin may be'imparted to the ball by certain of the clubs so that the .roll of the ball may be controlled. The toe 31 and heel 33 are disposed at opposite ends of the clubhead 15.

Of particular note is the fact that a line in the shaft, shown in Figs. 1 and 2 by the reference numeral 35 as, a line along the forward side of the club 11, and a line; along the leading edge -27of the sole 29, shown in F i g.;

golf club of the 3 by the reference numeral 37, intersect to form a complementary angle generally designated as the angle of lie of the club. Also, the lines 35 and 37 lie in a plane normal to the line of desired flight of the ball. Calibration of the club for loft is accomplished by direct reference to these lines 35 and 37. Calibration for lie of the club is accomplished by reference to line 37 and a line in the shaft designated by reference numeral 39 as lying along the front surface of the shaft. Both of the lines 35'and 39 are substantially parallel to the axis of the shaft and provide the most feasible reference lines for the purpose.

In Fig. 4 the device 10 of the present invention is shown as supported at working height by a cabinet bench 12, and spaced thereabove as by spacer bolts 14 at separated points of support. The bench 12 includes a viselike apparatus 16 having a slidable jaw 18 operable to clamp a golf club against the device 10 so that the club head is rigidly secured for the calibration operation. The clamping and subsequent release of the club by the jaw 18 may be accomplished by foot pedals 22. The bench and vise form no part of the present invention, and it will be understood that any other preferred means may i be used to support the device 10 and to releasably secure the club thereto.

The device 10 includes a frame member 24 comprised of a plate-like part 26 having generally arcuate portions 28, 30 provided with calibration marks 32, 34, and 36, 38, respectively. Recessed shallow wells 40, 42, and 44, 46, extending generally arcuately, are provided in the portions 28, 30, respectively, and have raised numerals and letters 48, t}, and 52, 54 designating particular clubs in accordance with the oppositely disposed calibration marks. The member 24 may be provided with segments, cut out, as at 56, 58, 60, for purposes of reducing the weight of the device 10.

Referring to Fig. 8, it will be seen that the front edge 62 of the frame member 24 is arranged with an apron 64 substantially midway between the ends of the arcuate portions 28, 30. The apron 64 may be formed as a cast portion of the member 24 or may be a separate part secured thereto by any preferred means. In any event, the frontal face 66 of the apron lies in a plane including the front edge 62 of the frame member, the plane of the apron being normal to the face 68 of the member 24.

Secured to the face 66 of the apron 64 are a pair of pins 70 which extend outwardly from the face '66 fora distance of approximately one-fourth inch, as best seen in Fig. 5. The pins 70 are shown here as being of square configuration, but it is apparent that they could be round dowel pins, for example. ferred in that the loading force occasioned by clamping the leading edge of the sole of the club head against them distributes the clamping force over a greater area and thereby obviates any nicks on the edge thereof. It should be noted that a line 72 drawn on the face 66 of the apron 64 and along the right face of the pins 70 establishes a standard for a calibration reference line to which the subsequent calibration of a golf club can be referred, as described in greater detail hereinafter. It is further pointed out that the line 72 is established for the calibration of right hand clubs, whereas a similar line 74 along the left side of the pins 70 establishes a standard for a calibration reference line for left handed club calibration. Both of the lines 72, 74 are'normal to the plane of the face 68 of the member 24.

It is also pointed out that the line 72 establishes the center of radius for the outer edge 76 of the arcuate The square pin is pre-- portion 28, and the line 74 establishes a like center of radius for the outer edge 78 of the arcuate portion 30.

Means for establishing a preliminary positioning of member 24 adjacent the edge 62. Additional means include a plate 86 adjustable upwardly and downwardly by a pair of thumb screws 87 threadably received in the apron 64.

The apron 64 is further provided with dovetail slots 88, 90 extending inwardly from the ends thereof to a point short of the pins 70. The slots are adapted to receive the dovetail slide members 92, 94 of club head clamping means 96, 98. Clamp 96 has a jaw member 100 pivotally secured thereon, as by a screw 102, the member 100 having jutting abutment portions 104, 106 adapted for two-point engagement with the golf club head to urge the latter into clamping engagement with the pins 70.

Means for adjustably sliding the members 92, 94 in the slots 88, 98 include handscrews 108, 110 provided with threaded ends. Handscrew 108, for example, has right and left-hand threaded ends 112, 114, with end 112 threadably engaged with a'flange portion 116 of the slide 92 and end 114 threadably engaged with a boss portion 118' extending from the underside of the plate 26. The action of screws 108, 110 is well known in the art.

Setting up a club in the device 10 for calibration is accomplished in the following manner. The club face is placed against the apron 64 and front edge 62 with the leading edge 27 of the sole 29 against the pins 70. Member 80 is swung around until its face is against the golf club face. Plate 86 is then adjusted upwardly or downwardly by means of screw-s 87 until the scribe line 41 (or ends of the corrugation lines 25 on the face of the club head) are even with the top of the plate 80. See Fig. 3. This adjustment need not be disturbed thereafter for calibration of any of the clubs in a matched set.

It will be understood that the scribe line 41 bears a fixed relationship of an angle of 90 to the corrugations 25, and hence the same relationship to the line 37 along leading edge 27 of the sole 29. For clarity, the scribe line 41 will be designated in this description as the standard reference line of the club head which may be referred to a calibration reference line on the device 10.

The jaw 18 of the vise 16 may then secure the club head against the apron 64 by means of the pedals 22 and the screw 108 turned until the abutment portions 104, 106 secure the sole edge 27 against the pins 70. After setup of the club, the plate member 80 may be swung out of the way, as shown by dotted line on Fig. 5. The club may then be calibrated in accordance with the structure and procedure now to be described. It will be noted that the sole edge 27 defines a line as a standard of reference for calibration and is referred directly to the calibration reference line established by the pins 70. For clarity, the line 73, defined by the intersection of the plane of the face 68 and the plane of the front edge 62, will be designated as the calibration reference line. This line 73, of course, is at right angles to, and intersects, both lines 72, 74 established by the pins 70.

Cooperatively related to the calibration reference line 73 established by the calibration reference means 70 is a calibration member 124. The member 124 comprises a substantially arcuate arm 126- having a foot portion 128 and having an L-shaped member 130 secured by means of screws 132 to arm 126 adjacent the foot thereof. A handscrew 134 is threadably received in the lower horizontal leg 136 of the member 130 with the end 138 adapted to engage the inner slanting surface 140 of the arcuate ridge 142 provided on the underside of the plate 26 adjacent the edge of each of the arcuate portions 28, 30. The handscrew permits releasable security of thc member 124 on any part of the edges 76, 78 of the respectively, and define index marks adapted to cooper ate with the calibration marks 32, 34 and 36, 38, respectively, for calibrating the loft of a club.

In fact, the

member 124 is so arranged and constructed that the entire right hand surface 148 of the arcuate arm 126 and foot 128 will lie in a plane including the reference line '72, and the left hand surface 150 will likewise lie in a plane including the reference line 74, in right hand and left hand club calibration, respectively.

A substantial portion of the upper part of the arcuate arm 126 is channeled, as more particularly shown by the reference numeral 152 on Fig. 7. The channeled portion is provided with an elongated slot 154, and is further provided with shoulders 156 adapted to have a U-shaped lie-calibrating member 158 slidably received thereon. A bolt 16% secured in the lower part of the member 158 passes through the slot 154, and has a knurled nut 162 threadably received thereon so as to provide releasable adjustment of the member 158 relative to the arm 126. An index mark 164- on the member 158 is adapted to cooparate with the degree marks 166 on the arm 126 so as to provide a. measure of the basic angularity of the memher 158 relative to the face 68 of the member 24.

The lie-calibrating member 158 is also provided with a slot 168 extending a substantial distance within the member, but terminating short of its ends. The slot 168 is arranged to receive a square shank-ed bolt 170 therewithin, the latter having a knurled nut 172 received on its outer threaded end. The nut 172 is adapted to releasably secure a transversely disposed cross-bar 174 to the member 158. The cross-bar 174 has a square hole mating the square shank of the bolt 170 whereby the bar is always maintained substantially in transverse relationship to the slot 168 regardless of the location of the bolt in the slot.

The upper surface 176 of the bar 174 is preferably chamfered and the edge 178 adjacent the member 158 defines an index line adapted to be referred to lie-calibration marks 180 scribed on either side of the member 158. Adjacent each scribe mark is a numeral or letter 182 designating particular clubs to be calibrated. As shown in Fig. 7 the line 178 has been indexed opposite the scribe mark corresponding to the number 7 iron club.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a wrench 184 having relatively movable jaws 186, 188 arranged to secure the wrench 184 to the hosel I? of the golf club 11. To this end a handle 192 is threadably engaged with an offset portion 194 of the jaw 186 and has an end swivelly received in an enlarged hole in the jaw 188 whereby the jaws are adapted to clamp the slightly tapered hosel in a manner well known in the art.

The operation of the calibration device and the use therewith of the wrench will now be described. The selection of the first of a matched set of clubs to be calibrated must be carefully made since the basic lie is established thereby, to which all the rest of the clubs are conformed. If the selection is arbitrary, it is usually accomplished by picking a club near the center of the series, for example a number 5 'iron.

On the other hand, there may be one club of the set which the golfer has found from experience to be his best or pet club, or, in the words of the golfer, his sweetest club. This is the club which has the most natural swing for him and is most consistent in hitting the ball down the middle. Assume this latter case and that the club is a number 5 iron.

In either case, the first step is to ascertain how the club head lies on the ground when the golfer is holding it to address the ball. It is usually desirable that the leading edge 27 of the sole toe up very slightly so that the toe 31 will not dig into the turf when the ball is struck. If the club head toes down or toes up more than a degree or so, a correction is made by clamping the club head in the device, as described hereinabove, and affixing the wrench 184 to the hosel, after Whicha force is applied to the wrench handle in the necessary direction to bend the club head at the neck thereof to make the necessary correction required for correct address of the ball. After the bend is made the club is removed from the device and again checked with the golfer.

This first step may require one or more bend-and-try operations, but it is very essential that it be completed with careful attention since, as aforesaid, the basic club head lie is established for that and the rest of the clubs.

When the first step is completed, the club is again clamped in the device for the second step. The knurled nut 172 is then loosened and the index line 178 of the cross-bar 174 is placed opposite the calibration marks designated by the number 5 of the 182 series of marks, after which the nut is tightened. The calibrating member is then moved until the surface 148 lies along the front surface of the shaft, after which the knurled screw 134 is tightened. The knurled nut 162 is then loosened so that the assembly comprising the lie-calibrating member 158 and the crossbar 174 previously secured thereto may be moved upwardly until the top surface of the shaft is touched by the index edge 178 of the cross-bar. The nut 162 is then tightened.

This setting of the member 158 with respect to the arcuate arm 126 is not disturbed during the subsequent calibration of the entire set of matched irons. If desired it may be advisable to note the degree reading on the arm 126 opposite the index mark 164 on the member 158 as this constitutes a basic club-lie reference-figure peculiar to the particular golfer for the particular set of clubs. 7

The third step consists of calibrating the club for loft angle. If, with the club shaft disposed alongside the surface 148 of the arcuate arm, the lower edge 144 of the calibration member 124 is disposed on the calibration mark 32 for a number 5 iron, then the iron club is correctly calibrated for loft. If not, the wrench 184 is utilized as aforesaid for bringing the club into correct calibration.

Calibration of the rest of the clubs in the set is car ried about in the same manner, by moving the cross-bar so that its index mark corresponds with the lie-calibration mark for the particular club and with the lower edge of the loft calibration member disposed adjacent the correspondingly numbered loft calibration mark on the frame member.

Accordingly, it is now seen that the practice of the invention is carried out by calibrating the clubs according to the geometry of asphere. That is to say, after establishing a calibration reference line on the device which is directly referable to a standard reference line on the head of the club, the loft calibration is carried out with a line in the golf club shaft passing through a minor circle on the sphere whose center lies on the standard reference line, the plane of the circle being normal to the reference line. Likewise, the calibration for lie is carried out with a line in the shaft intersecting a point on the standard reference line and lying on a radius of the sphere.

It is also seen that whereas the length of the club has no bearing on the loft angle, such is not the case as regards the angle of lie if the hand height of the golfer is to be kept substantially constant for each of the clubs in his set, which may be an end to be sought and which is obtained substantially by the present invention. Accordingly, the spacing of the lie-calibrating marks on the member 158 is easily calculated with prior knowledge that the club length and a constant differential between adjacently numbered clubs are the principal governing factors. The only other known factor affecting hand height is allowed for by providing adjustability of the lie-calibrating member 158 relative to the arcuate arm 126.

A further word about the loft calibration marks.

Marks 32 with corresponding numbers are provided for.

the calibration of mens right hand clubs, while ladies right hand clubs are calibrated in accordance with marks 34. Left hand mens and ladies clubs are provided for by the marks 36, 38, respectively. 3

Having described the invention, it is desired to point out and emphasize that the calibration of golf clubs has not been carried out heretofore, so far as is known, strictly in accordance with the geometry of a sphere with the criterion of substantially constant hand height for addressing the ball. Accordingly, it will be apparent that departures in structure from the embodiment shown and described will come to the mind of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a. hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a fixed calibration reference line; referring the standard reference line on said striking face to said fixed calibration reference line in a common plane including said striking face and securing said club head in that relationship of lines; and imparting a permanent set to said hosel while said head is secured such that a predetermined angle is formed between one of said reference lines and a line substantially parallel to said shaft axis line.

2. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a fixed calibration reference line; referring the standard reference line on said striking face to said fixed calibration reference line in a common plane including said striking face and securing said club head in that relationship of lines; establishing a first plane including said striking face; establishing a second plane generally perpendicular to said first plane; establishing a calibration mark on said second plane, said calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; and imparting a permanent set to said hosel while said head is secured such that a line substantially parallel to said shaft axis line lies in a third plane including said calibration mark and perpendicular to one of the other of said planes.

3. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a fixed calibration reference line; referring the standard reference line on said striking face to said fixed calibration reference line in a common plane including said striking face and securing said club head in that relationship of lines; establishing a first plane including said striking face; establishing a second plane generally perpendicular to said first plane and including one of said reference lines; establishing a cali bration mark on said second plane, said calibration mark corresponding .to the particular club head being calibrated; and imparting a permanent set to said hosel while said head is secured such that a line substantially parallel to said shaft axis line lies in a third plane including said calibration mark and perpendicular to one of the other of said planes.

4. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a fixed calibration reference line; referring the standard reference line on said striking face to said fixed calibration reference line in a common plane including said striking face and securing said club head in that relationship of lines; establishing a first plane including said striking face; establishing a second plane generally perpendicular to said first plane; establishinga calibration mark on said second plane, said calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; and imparting a permanent set to said hosel while said head is secured such that a line substantially parallel to said shaft axis line lies on said calibration mark.

5. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard'reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: providing a fixture device to which said head may be secured, said device defining on a surface thereof a fixed calibration reference line; providing securing means for securing said head to said fixture; securing said head to the fixture for the remainder of the calibration procedure, said head being positioned and secured on said fixture with said standard and calibration reference lines lying in a common plane including said striking face and in a fixed predetermined relationship to each other; providing a shaft axis line reference mem ber defining a referral point to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said golf club head; arranging said member with said referral point in space outside the common plane defined by said reference lines and said striking face, the arrangement of said member in space being such that a predetermined angle which is dependent upon a playing characteristic of said club head is formed between one of said reference lines and said referral point; providing securing means forfixing said member as arranged; fixing said member against movement during the remainder of the calibration procedure; ascertaining the discrepancy, if any, between said shaft axis line and said referral point; and thereafter imparting a set to said hosel while said head is secured such that said ascertained discrepancy thereafter becomes substantially zero.

6. A calibration device for a'golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head defining a standard reference line, comprising: a frame member having a face against which a surface of said golf club head is adapted to be releasably secured; calibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said standard and calibration reference lines fixed in a predetermined relationship to each other,-a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a calibration member having a securable connection with said frame member and being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to a said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on one of said members defining an index mark referrable to saidcalibration mark; and means on one of said members defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

7 A calibration device. for a golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head defining a standard reference line, comprising: a frame member having a face against which a surface of said golf club head is adapted to be releasably secured; calibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head tosaid frame member with said standard and calibration refer ence lines fixed in a predetermined relationship to each other, a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a calibration member having a securable connection with said frame member and being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to a said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on said calibration member defining an index mark referra-ble to said calibration mark; and means on said calibration member defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

8. A calibration device for a golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head defining a standard reference line, comprising: a frame member having a face against which a surface of said golf club head is adapted to be releasably secured; calibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said standard and calibration reference lines fixed in a predetermined relationship to each other, a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a calibration member having a securable connection with said frame member and being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to a said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head'being calibrated; means on the other of said members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; and means on said other of said members defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, and referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

9. A calibration device for a golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head having a striking face defining a standard reference line along its leading edge, comprising: a frame member having first and second mutually perpendicular faces; calibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said club head striking face against said first face and with said standard reference line perpendicular to said second face and fixed in a predetermined relationship to said calibration reference line, a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a calibration member having a securable connection with said second face and being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on one of said members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; and means on one of said members defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said determined point on one of said reference lines.

10. A calibration device for a golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head having a striking face defining a standard reference line along its leading edge, comprising: a frame member having first and second mutually perpendicular faces; calibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said club head striking face against said first face and with said standard reference line perpendicular to said second face and fixed in a prepredetermined relationship to said calibration reference line, a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a calibration member having a securable connection with said second face and being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on said calibration member defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; and means on said calibration member defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

11. A calibration device for a golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head having a striking face defining a standard reference line along its leading edge, comprising: a frame member having first and second mutually perpendicular faces; calibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said club head striking face against said first face and with said standard reference line perpendicular to said second face and fixed in a predetermined relationship to said calibration reference line, a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a calibration member having a securable connection with said second face and being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on the other of said members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; and means on said other of said members defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

12. A calibration device for a golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head having a striking face defining a standard reference line along its leading edge, comprising: a frame member having first and second mutually perpendicular faces; caiibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said club head striking face against said first face and with said standard reference line perpendicular to said second face and fixed in a predetermined relationship to said calibration reference line, a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a first cahbration member having a securable connection with said frame member, said first member being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said ref erence lines; a second calibration member having a securable connection with said first member and being positionable on said first member generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said frame and first calibration members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on the other of said frame and first calibration members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; and means on said second calibration member defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

13. A calibration. device for a golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head having a striking face defining a standard reference line along its leading edge, comprising: a frame member having first and second mutually perpendicular faces; calibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said club head striking face against said first face and with said standard reference line perpendicular to said second face and fixed in a predetermined relationship to said calibration reference line, a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a first calibration member having a securable connection with said frame member, said first member being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; a second calibration member having a securable connection with said first member and being positionable on said first member generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said first and second calibration members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on the other of said first and second calibration members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; and means on said second calibration member defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

14. A calibration device for a golf club head provided with a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending along the axis thereof, said head having a striking face defining a standard reference line along its leading edge, comprising: a frame member having first and second mutually perpendicular faces; calibration reference means on said frame member defining a calibration reference line; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said club head striking faceagainst said first face and with said standard reference line perpendicular to said second face and fixed in a predetermined relationship to said calibration reference line, a predetermined point on one of said reference lines being thereby fixed for the calibration of said club head; a first calibration member having a securable connection with said frame member, said first member being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; a second calibration member having a securable connection with said first member and being positionable on said first member generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said frame and first calibration members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on the other of said'frame and first calibration members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; means on one of said first and second calibration members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on the other of said first and second calibration members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; and means on said second calibration member defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

15. A calibration device for a golf club provided with a shaft and a head, the axis of said shaft defining a shaft axis line, said head having a-striking face defining a standard reference line along its leading edge, comprising: a frame member having first and second mutually perpendicular plane faces, the intersection of said faces defining a calibration reference line; stop pin means pro jecting from said first face; means for releasably securing said club head to said frame member with said club head leading edge against said pin means and with said club head striking face against said first face and with said standard reference line perpendicular to said calibration reference line, a predetermined point being defined by the intersection of said reference lines; a first calibration member having a securable connection with said frame member, said first member being fixed generally radially but positionable generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; a second calibration member having a securable connection with said first member and being positionable on said first member generally arcuately with respect to said predetermined point on one of said reference lines; means on one of said frame and first calibration members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on the other of said frame and first calibration members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; means on one of said first and second calibration members defining a calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; means on the other of said first and second calibration members defining an index mark referrable to said calibration mark; and means on said second calibration member defining a referral line to which said shaft axis line may be referred for the calibration of said club head, said referral line intersecting said predetermined point on one of said reference lines.

16. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a spherical surface de fined by intersecting planes, a point on the line of intersection of said planes defining the center of said surface; establishing on said surface a referral point defining a calibration mark; juxtaposing the striking face of said club head adjacent one of said intersecting planes with the standard reference line on the face immediately ad jacent said intersection line and in a predetermined relationship to said spherical surface center; determining the amount and direction of any discrepancy between said calibration mark and the intersection of said surface by the shaft axis line of said club head hosel; and thereafter imparting any necessary permanent set of an amount and direction to said club head hosel such that the said discrepancy becomes zero.

17. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a spherical surface defined by intersecting planes, at point on the line of intersection of said planes defining the center of said surface; establishing a calibrating line on one of said planes from said spherical surface center to said spherical surface, said line defining a predetermined angle with said intersection line; establishing an arc on said spherical surface from the intersection therewith of said calibrating line to a point of intersection therewith of the other of said planes; establishing on said are a referral point defining a calibration mark; juxtaposing the striking face of said club head adjacent one of said intersecting planes with the standard reference line on the face immediately adjacent said intersection line and in a predetermined relationship to said spherical surface center; determining the amount and direction of any discrepancy between said calibration mark and the inter section of said surface by the shaft axis line of said club head hosel; and thereafter imparting any necessary permanent set of an amount and direction to said club head hosel such that the said discrepancy becomes zero.

18. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a spherical surface defined by intersecting planes, a point on the line of intersection of said planes defining the center of said surface; establishing a calibrating line on one of said planes from saud spherical surface center to said spherical surface; establishing an are on said spherical surface from the intersection therewith of said calibrating line to a point of intersection therewith of the other of said planes; establishing on said are a referral point defining a calibration mark, said mark being established such that a predetermined angle is defined between said calibrating line and a line intersecting said spherical surface center and said calibration mark; juxtaposing the striking face of said club head adjacent one of said intersecting planes with the standard reference line on the face immediately adjacent said intersection line and in a predetermined relationship to said spherical surface center; determining the amount and direction of any discrepancy between said calibration mark and the intersection of said surface by the shaft axis line of said club head hosel; and thereafter imparting any necessary permanent set of an amount and direction to said club head hosel such that the said discrepancy becomes zero.

19. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a spherical surface defined by intersecting planes, a point on the line of intersection of said planes defining the center of said surface; establishing a calibrating line on one of said planes from said spherical surface center to said spherical surface, said line defining a predetermined angle with said intersection line; establishing an are on said spherical surface from the intersection therewith of said calibrating line to a point of intersection therewith of the other of said planes; establishing on said are a referral point defining a calibration mark, said mark being established such that a predetermined angle is defined between said calibrating line and a line intersecting said spherical surface center and said calibration mark; juxtaposing the striking face of said club head adjacent one of said intersecting planes with the standard reference line on the face immediately adjacent said intersection line and in a predetermined relationship to said spherical surface center; determining the amount and direction of any discrepancy between said calibration mark and the intersection of said surface by the shaft axis line of said club head hosel; and thereafter imparting any necessary permanent set of an amount and direction to said club head hosel such that the said discrepancy becomes zero.

20. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a fixed calibration reference line; referring the standard reference line on said striking face to said fixed calibration reference line in a common plane including said striking face and securing said club head in that relationship of lines; establishing a first plane generally perpendicular to said striking face; establishing a calibration mark on said first plane, said calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; establishing a second plane including one of said reference lines; and imparting a permanent set to said hosel While said head is secured such that a line substantially parallel to said shaft axis line lies on the intersecting line of two of said planes.

21. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axisl-ine extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a fixed calibration reference line; referring the standard reference line on said striking face to said fixed calibration reference line in a common plane including said striking face and securing said club head in that relationship of lines; establishing a first plane generally perpendicular to said striking face and including one of said reference lines; establishing a calibration mark on said first plane, said calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; establishing a second plane including one of said reference lines and said calibration mark; and imparting a permanent set to said hosel while said head is secured such that a line substantially parallel to said shaft axis line lies on the intersecting line of two of said planes.

22. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a fixed calibration reference line; referring the standard reference line on said striking face to said fixed calibration reference line in a common plane including said striking face and securing said club head in that relationship of lines; establishing a first plane generally perpendicular to said striking face and including one of said reference lines; establishing a first calibration mark on said first plane, said first calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; establishing a second plane including one of said reference lines and said first calibration mark; establishing a third plane generally perpendicular to said second plane and including said first calibration mark and one of said reference lines; establishing a second calibration mark on said third plane, said second calibration mark corresponding to the particular club head being calibrated; and imparting a permanent set to said hosel while said head is secured such that a line substantially parallel to said shaft axis line lies on a line in said third plane passing through said second calibration mark.

23. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a fixed calibration reference line; referring the standard reference line on said striking face to said fixed calibration reference line in a common plane including said striking face and securing said club head in that relationship of lines; establishing a plane including one of said reference lines; establishing a calibration line on said plane intersecting one of said reference lines, such that the angle said calibration line makes with said one of said reference lines corresponds to a predetermined calibration for the particular club head being calibrated; and imparting a permanent set to said hosel While said head is secured such that a line substantially parallel to said shaft axis line lies on said calibration line.

24. The method of calibrating a golf club head having a hosel defining a shaft axis line extending substantially along the axis thereof, said head defining on the striking face thereof a standard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of said head, comprising the steps of: establishing a spherical surface defined by intersecting planes, a point on the line of intersection of said planes defining the center of said surface; establishing on said surface a referral point defining a calibration mark juxtaposing and securing the striking face of said club head adjacent one of said intersecting planes with the standard reference line on the face immediately adjacent said intersection line and in a predetermined relationship to said spherical surface center; and thereafter imparting any necessary permanent set of an amount and direction to said club head hosel while said head is thusly secured, such that the shaft axis line of said club head hosel intersects said spherical surface at said calibration mark.

25. The method of calibrating a plurality of numbered golf club heads having hosels defining shaft axis lines extending substantially along the axes thereof, each of said heads defining on the striking face thereof a stand ard reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of each of said heads, comprising the steps of: establishing a spherical surface defined by intersecting planes, a point on the line of intersection of said planes defining the center of said surface; establishing on said surface a series of referral points defining particular calibration marks, each of said marks being individual to a particular one of said numbered club heads; juxtaposing, in turn, the striking face of each of said club heads adjacent one of said intersecting planes with the standard reference line on the face immediately adjacent said intersection line and in a predetermined relationship to said spherical surface center; determining the amount and a reference line constituting the reference standard for the calibration of each of said heads, comprising the steps of: establishing a spherical surface defined by intersecting planes, a point on the line of intersection of said planes defining the center of said surface; establishing on said surface a series of referral points defining particular calibration marks, each of said marks being individual to a particular one of said numbered club heads; juxtaposing and securing, in turn, the striking face of each of said club heads adjacent one of said intersecting planes with the standard reference line on the face immediately adjacent said intersection line and in a predetermined relationship to said spherical surface center; and thereafter imparting any necessary permanent set of an amount and direction to each club head hosel while each is, in turn, thusly secured, such that the shaft axis line of each hosel of the particular one of said numbered club heads intersects said spherical surface at the particular calibration mark established for that particular club head.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 583,706 Kearns June 1, 1897 1,675,437 Waldron July 3, 1928 1,889,239 Crowley Nov. 29, 1932 2,027,452 Rusing Jan. 14, 1936 2,049,235 Tour July 28, 1936 2,393,317 Edwards Jan. 22, 1946 2,422,042 Roberts June 10, 1947 2,426,583 Bailey Sept. 2, 1947 2,546,426 Bryant Mar. 27, 1951 2,705,992 Storrie Apr. 12, 1955 2,742,947 Dobbs Apr. 24, 1956 

